7 Secret Gardens Where You Can Find Reprieve in New York City

The hustle and bustle of a city does not usually correspond with the serenity of a garden. In Phaidon’s latest hardcover, Green Escapes: The Guide to Secret Urban Gardens, the correlation is not only evident, but necessary. "Study after academic study has proven that humans as a species respond positively to being in green space," says author Dr. Toby Musgrave. "I strongly believe that in a busy city with all its non-green manmade infrastructure, in a place where we lead life at a frenetic pace, it is really important for our psychological wellbeing to have these little green decompression chambers where we can shrug off the city for a while and reconnect with nature."

Musgrave features more than 250 green spaces from over 150 cities around the globe, ranging from Dallas, Texas to Perth, Australia. Musgrave told Vogue that the process of discovering all these enclaves took the better part of two-and-a-half years. Each entry features descriptive text about the site, including details about the greenery and wildlife, maps, and visitor information.

Hailing from a family of keen gardeners, Musgrave was introduced to the pastime at any early age. He earned degrees in horticulture and garden design before going on to complete his doctorate in garden history. The author is a fan of New York City, calling it the "city of cities," and included several spots in his book for locals or visitors to enjoy, perhaps after brunch or for a rest in between shopping. Below, 7 “green escapes” when you need a break from the Concrete Jungle, without even leaving.

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, MoMA; 11 West 53rd Street (enter via West 54th Street)If you find yourself in midtown, a visit to this Zen space will put you at ease after sidestepping tourists and honking taxis. Created in 1953 by architect James Fanning, it was restored in the early aughts and includes fountains, marble bridges, and sculptures, all free to the public.

Paley Park; 3 East 52rd StreetThe beauty of this park can be enjoyed from sunrise until the wee hours of the morning. The 24-hour Midtown pocket park was opened in 1967, then rebuilt in 1999. Harry Bertoia-designed chairs and marble-topped tables invite patrons to take a lunch break near its waterfall, and ivy-coated walls. Musgrave finds this park to be a wonderful example of the designer’s art.

Ford Foundation Atrium Garden; 320 East 43rd StreetA secret conservatory garden in New York City? Just west of Tudor City, park goers will find a “jungle of subtropical taxa, towering trees, and cascading vines,” writes Musgrave. Planters installed on ascending floors of the building add to the illusion of plants reaching all the way to the roof. The building itself was named a landmark of the city in 1997 and received a planting update in 2017 and 2018.

Jefferson Market Garden; 70 A Greenwich AvenueYou will surely forget that you are in New York City when you step into this lush volunteer-maintained garden. Delight in one of Musgrave’s favorite green spots in the city, whether that means lounging on the lawn or peering into the koi pond. When you want to escape the chaos and simply need to decompress, this tranquil West Village green space might be just the outpost you need.

St. Luke’s in the Fields; 487 Hudson StreetThis garden ranks as one of the oldest in the city: the five linked flower-filled plots were first installed in 1842. Among the holy ground, guests will find a 200-year-old silver maple tree, plenty of roses, and a picture perfect South Lawn, surrounded by butterfly- and bird-friendly trees and shrubs. Musgrave says this is a great quiet place “simply to sit and unwind on the sward.”

6BC Botanical Garden; 622 East 6th StreetThis East Village hideaway is another garden that the author is particularly fond of. Marked by an black iron fence decorated in ivy, this botanic garden is an educational space, with a horticultural library and wide variety of plants, and focuses on neighborhood beautification and community programming. Follow the red brick path for flowers of all sorts paired perfectly with rock sculptures and intimate spots to enjoy a picnic or finally crack open your summer reading.

Teardrop Park; 37 Warren StreetIf you find yourself wandering around Battery Park City, make a detour to this site. A mix of sedimentary rocks and over 16,000 plants (all natives of New York state) play nicely together, bringing a bit of Hudson Valley in the city, Musgrave notes. Interactive fountains, meandering paths, and a “magnificent” artwork by Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercil are just a few of the highlights in the downtown retreat.